Becoming a licensed architect is a challenging proposition–it will take someone 12.7 years on average from entering school to obtaining their license, according to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
Graduation from an architecture school doesn’t mean you’re ready to start practicing. You’ll still need 3,740 hours of practical experience in six areas. This experience helps future architects learn about “the daily realities of architectural practice, acquire comprehensive experience in basic practice areas, explore specialized areas of practice, develop professional judgment, and refine career goals,” according to NCARB.
Graduation from an architecture school doesn’t mean you’re ready to start practicing. You’ll still need 3,740 hours of practical experience in six areas.
After you complete your degree and experience hours, however, you also have to pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). This notoriously tricky test is six tests covering specific divisions of architectural practice, including practice management, project management, programming and analysis, project planning and design, project development and documentation, and construction and evaluation.
It is not easy to become a licensed architect. It requires a degree in architecture, passing the ARE, and fulfilling experience requirements. But there’s nothing quite like seeing your designs come to life!
Sean Heiman, AIA, NCARB
Associate Vice President
A graduate of Kansas State University, Sean is an experienced architect focusing on the healthcare and higher education sectors, working with public and private clients. He ensures projects are on schedule and budget and delivers quality design from start to finish. Some notable projects include the 96,000-square-foot San Jose VA Clinic in California and the 275,000-square-foot Phoenix 32nd Street VA Clinic in Arizona.
Ashley Wagner, AIA, NCARB
Associate
Ashley, a University of Arkansas graduate, has been one of the studio’s leaders over the past five years. Her focus has been healthcare design, including the recently completed Phoenix 32nd Street VA Clinic. An incredibly complex project, this 275,000-square-foot VA outpatient clinic is one of the biggest in the country. Ashley is also a participant in the AIA Kansas City Pillars Leadership Program. This program prepares emerging leaders for their role in shaping the future of the architectural profession and the greater Kansas City area.